Laura, I have added to this part of the assignment. To make your life a little easier, I have done my work in red. Mary
Describe your reasons for selecting this particular recording. This is a very early recording of a popular love song in the early 1900s. It was later changed to a state song. It reflects a time when things weren't going well, but the past at home was a happy one. Both songs have this same quality, even though written 20 years apart. I thought we would get some contrast in two songs about two states; they had more in common
Explain why you believe this recording could be effective with students.
It incorporates music, which can be fun for students. It also has an interesting history behind it as it was altered to become the Ohio state song. It may be humorous to students that the original song was actually a love song. These songs reflect the mood of the country during 2 different times of trials. These songs would help them understand these moods.
Describe at least 5 ways the recording you selected could be used in the classroom. Try to expand ideas for different subject areas and/or grade levels. For each lesson idea, include a brief description of how this activity could help promote critical thinking skills in students.
** I could use this when discussing industrialization and the new technology that was available in the United States in the early part of the century. Students will have a good example of the quality of recording during that time period. Students consider how being able to listen to music without a live band could change Americans' lives.
Students examine reasons why the state of Ohio would alter the lyrics of this song and adopt it as a state song. Students choose other songs that could be altered and proposed as new state songs for Ohio. The class is divided into groups and students come up with new Ohio state songs. The class then votes on the best song, or decides to keep the current song.
Students could take the lyrics and try to interpret what the composer was trying to say in the lyrics. The students then could try and take the lyrics and modernize them into something they think would be popular today for a state song. The students could also try to incorporate their own music into their lyrics if they have the ability to do so. It would be interesting to hear some of the music and lyrics of the more creative students.
Students in a history class would be assigned a state and have to find out the state symbols for each. The symbols could be presented to the class in a powerpoint presentation. A way to review for the test in class would be to have the students play a jeopardy type game where the categories were each title of the symbol such as state bird, or state tree. A picture would be shown and students would buzz in with their guess.
A lesson in history created by the time period in which the song was created. The students can use the time frame and create a classroom that highlights that time period. Students could post the lyrics and obtain a past version of the song and then the new one that is being used today to play in the room. Pictures and other visual aids can be brought in to the room to show what life was like and what was going on in that period of time. The teacher can decide if they want to go national topics or just topics that relate to the state. This project would be good to tie in with a school open house to have everyone that wanted to come take a look at it.
When creating a "Roaring Twenties" atmosphere in the American lit class, students could "become" a singing group from the 20s.
Creative writing radio drama assignment: sound effects
Technology--electronics class could compare the technology of sound on these Edison recordings compared to modern music recording technology
Ballad as a narrative study in language arts
Personal journal reflection--what would a modern parallel to this music be?
It incorporates music, which can be fun for students. It also has an interesting history behind it as it was altered to become the Ohio state song. It may be humorous to students that the original song was actually a love song. These songs reflect the mood of the country during 2 different times of trials. These songs would help them understand these moods.